System, Method, and Article of Manufacture for Providing Protection to an Appendage From Infectious Agents

ABSTRACT

The subject application includes a disposable foot cover that has a body, an open edge, a retention mechanism, and a tab. The body is roughly in the shape of a foot and is made of a compound that has rubber-like properties and is configured to provide a barrier against infectious agents. The open edge is located at one end of the body and is configured to receive an associated foot. The retention mechanisms, located around the open edge, are adapted for securing the cover to the associated foot. In addition, the tab, located at the rear of the opening, is suitably configured to enable removal of the cover from the associated foot.

The present application claims the benefit and priority of and incorporates by this reference U.S. application No. 61/459,163 filed provisionally with the USPTO on Dec. 8, 2010.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of Invention

The subject application is directed generally to protective wearing apparel. The application is particularly suited to providing a barrier between an appendage, such as a foot, and various microorganisms, i.e. infectious agents.

2. Background of Invention

Each day, an individual comes into contact with multiple sources of infection. A person will generally wash or disinfect his or her hands on a regular basis. However, the hands are not the only unprotected portion of the body that can contact various sources of infections. At airports, hotel rooms, some ethnic restaurants, gyms, health clubs, etc., an individual may have to remove shoes, socks, hose, or the like, allowing their feet to contact sources of athlete's foot, fungal diseases, bacterial diseases, and viral diseases. With regard to airports specifically, a person is at risk simply by walking barefoot in the same place as any of the thousands of people who may have previously stood there and had any of the myriad of bacterial and viral diseases. Samples taken using Petri dishes at such airports as Lindbergh Field in San Diego, McCann Airport in Las Vegas and Sky Harbor Airport in Phoenix showed fungus, mold and bacteria. It is very distasteful for many people to walk barefoot on the carpet in a hotel room that has been visited by a multitude of people. This also puts a person at risk for bacterial and viral diseases. Additionally, standing on the shower floor also lends itself to such diseases. This also applies to the showers in health clubs and gyms. Current items for use in shower include flip flops, which are not disposable, by nature, and thus retain mold, mildew, bacteria, fungi, and the like. Furthermore, the user of flip flops must first wipe them off before placing them back in their gym bag or luggage or they will be taking the bacteria home with them.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In accordance with one embodiment of the subject application, there is provided a system, method and article of manufacture for protecting feet from contaminants.

According to one embodiment of the subject application, there is provided a system, method and article of manufacture for providing a barrier between a foot and a biological contaminant, including disease causing bacteria and viruses.

Further, in accordance with one embodiment of the subject application, there is provided a system, method and article of manufacture for easing the sanitary concerns of patrons of at least airports, gyms, hotels, clubs, stores, and the like.

Still further in accordance with one embodiment of the subject application, there is provided a disposable foot cover comprised of a suitable barrier material that is capable of conforming to the foot of a user. The foot cover is preferably manufactured of a material that provides viral and bacterial protection, and which is abrasion and puncture resistant. The foot cover further includes a suitable retention mechanism so as to secure the foot cover on the foot of a user. Suitable retention mechanisms include, for example and without limitation, elastic, hook and latch, button, snap, and the like.

Still other advantages, aspects, and features of the subject application will become readily apparent to those skilled in the art from the following description, wherein there is shown and described a preferred embodiment of the subject application, simply by way of illustration of one of the modes best suited to carry out the subject application. As it will be realized, the subject application is capable of other different embodiments, and its several details are capable of modifications in various obvious aspects, all without departing from the scope of the subject application. Accordingly, the drawings and descriptions will be regarded as illustrative in nature and not as restrictive.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The present application may be more fully appreciated in connection with the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

FIG. 1 shows a side view of a disposable foot cover in accordance with at least one preferred embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is an opposite side view of the disposable foot cover shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a top view of the disposable foot cover shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 is a bottom view of the disposable foot cover shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 5 is a rear view of the disposable foot cover shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 6 is a front view of the disposable foot cover shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 7 shows a perspective view of a disposable foot cover in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 8 shows the disposable foot cover shown in FIG. 7, after the cover has been placed on a foot.

FIG. 9 shows a side view of a disposable foot cover with a texture, tie string retention mechanism, and a removal tab in accordance with another preferred embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 10 shows a side view of another disposable foot cover with a texture, flap and snap retention mechanism, and a removal elongated tab member in accordance with another preferred embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 11 is a side view of a disposable foot cover casting mold used in a manufacturing process in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 12 is a side view of another disposable foot cover casting mold used in a manufacturing process in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 13 is a side view of a disposable foot cover dipping mold used in a manufacturing process in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 14 is a side view of another disposable foot cover dipping mold used in a manufacturing process in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 15 is a flow chart which depicts a preferred manufacturing process for producing disposable foot covers in accordance with at least one embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EXAMPLE EMBODIMENTS

The present invention is directed to a system, method, and article of manufacture for protecting feet. In particular, the present invention is directed to a disposable foot cover (also called protective foot apparel). The foot cover may be composed of a suitable biologically impermeable layer, such as nitrile butadiene rubber (trade names Nipol®, Krynac®, and Europrene®), latex, or other such material, as discussed in greater detail below. The disposable foot cover/liner/bootie facilitates the protection of feet from various foot infections such as athlete's foot, fungal toenails, bacterial and viral diseases to which patrons are exposed when they are expected to remove their shoes in various circumstances. The disposable foot covers are capable of being worn over socks or on bare feet prior to the addition of shoes in anticipation of such occasions. In this manner, a user would be prepared in the event they would have to take their shoes off and prefer not to walk directly on the floor in public places such as airports, hotels, gyms, health clubs, ethnic restaurants and the like. Likewise, a health conscious entity requiring the removal of patron's shoes may provide protection to users from the unavoidable contaminants covering a shared floor space using an easy and cost effective approach.

Referring to FIGS. 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6, in certain preferred embodiments of the present invention, a disposable foot covering 1 may include a body 10, having a top 12, a heel 14, a toe 16, a side 18, and a bottom 19. The sides 18 and top 12 define an open edge 13 (also referred to as an opening) proximate the top 12. In accordance with one example embodiment of the present invention, the body 10 may be form factored to fit snugly on a user's foot. As such, a heel 14 and a toe 16 portion may be appropriately shaped to receive a user's foot, as shown in FIG. 8. One skilled in the art will appreciate that the foot covering may be produced in a plurality of shapes and sizes. In other embodiments of the present invention, the open edge 13 of the foot covering 1 may also be produced in a plurality of shapes and sizes suitable to receive different types of foot coverings (e.g., socks, shoes, sandals, etc.). In accordance with one example embodiment of the present invention, the body 10 may be made of any suitable material or fabric. For example, the body 10 material may comprise a synthetic rubber compound or a breathable fabric (e.g., nylon, cotton, etc.).

In certain preferred embodiments of the present invention, the body 10 material may require an impermeable material to prevent contaminants (e.g., bacteria, viruses, dirt, etc.) outside the body 10 from penetrating the interior of the foot cover 1. A typical material used for this particular embodiment may include a nitrile-type rubber. As will be appreciate by those skilled in the art, the flexibility and softness of nitrile-type rubbers makes them very comfortable and conforming, as demonstrated by the medical/surgical gloves of similar materials currently in use. In addition thereto, the nitrile-type rubber offers dexterity and extended wear comfort.

The skilled artisan will appreciate that other materials may be capable of being employed in the manufacture of the disposable foot cover 1 provided in the above example embodiment; however that such material is puncture resistant and very durable. Preferably, this material will further have resistance to abrasion superior to that of natural rubber, provide a strong barrier of protection against infectious agents, and prevent the transmission of infectious agents, especially viruses.

The body 10 of the present invention may also be produced in a plurality of thicknesses depending on the desired characteristics (e.g., fit, feel, aesthetics, etc.) of a particular embodiment. Thickness of the material of the body 10 may range from sheer, like pantyhose, to reinforced, like the rubber sole of a shoe. Moreover, the thickness of the body 10 material may vary throughout to achieve desired characteristics of a particular embodiment. For example, a portion of the body 10 on top of a user's foot may be thin while the bottom 19 may be thicker to provide foot and ankle support.

It will be appreciated by the skilled artisan that nitrile-type rubber is available in different grades and thicknesses. According to one embodiment of the present invention, the disposable foot covers 1 may be manufactured in the “high risk” category (i.e., the same grade as the gloves used by technicians, paramedics, and firemen in the emergency medical fields). With respect to the thickness of this particular embodiment, a suitable range may be 0.05 to 0.07 mm in thickness of the walls (such as the sides 18) of the cover 1 (i.e. “ultra-thin” nitrile-type rubber). The skilled artisan will appreciate that such thickness allows for greater tactile sensation and can be made in a variety of sizes for both men and women. Furthermore, the “ultra-thin” nitrile also may enable the disposable foot covers 1 to fit snugly when worn either over socks or on the bare foot.

Additionally, the body 10 material may be fused, covered, or otherwise coupled with an antibacterial or antimicrobial agent to further protect a user from contamination. These substances may help to disinfect and inhibit the growth of infectious agents on the outside surface of the disposable foot cover as well as the floor surface a user is walking on.

The body 10 of a disposable foot cover 1 may be produced in different shapes and designs to accommodate a desired use for a particular embodiment. For example, an embodiment of the disposable foot covers may be made specific to the foot on which they are to be worn (i.e. right foot, left foot). In another embodiment, the disposable foot covers 1 may be ambidextrous. In accordance with another embodiment of the present invention, the foot covers may be configured with separate compartments for individual toes or groups of toes, or may be configured for usage with sandals, flip-flops and the like. In another embodiment of the present invention the body 10 of the disposable foot covering may be fitted to a universal one-size-fits-all template, as opposed to foot shaped form factor shown in FIGS. 3 and 4.

In other embodiments the materials and body 10 surfaces may be produced with various attributes. Preferably, the interior surface material used in the manufacture of disposable foot covers of the present invention may be non-toxic and non-irritant so as to avoid causing skin allergies. However, in other preferred embodiments of the present invention, the outside surface of the body 10 of the foot cover may have an apparent texture 126, 226 or design 128, 228 (see e.g., FIGS. 9 and 10). The surface texture characteristics may vary depending on the particular application and materials used, but may feel or look, for example, smooth (e.g., nylon, firm rubber compound), soft (e.g., cotton), or possibly even rough (e.g., snakeskin, alligator scales). Further, the bottom 19 of an embodiment of the present application may be textured as well. The texture on the bottom 19 may be functional, such as a texture that provides traction, or may be aesthetic in nature. Generally, FIGS. 9 and 10 show a texture (126, 226 on the bottom 19; 128, 228 on the side 18) on the outside surface of a disposable foot cover in accordance with at least one embodiment of the invention. Furthermore, other embodiments may be manufactured in a plurality of colors. In one embodiment, the outside surface of the body 10 may be customized for color, text, design, or other similar indicia, for a company, airline, hotel, sports team, and the like. FIG. 9 shows texture 128 for example which could represent a particular embodiment of the design mentioned above with the company logo visible on the side 18 of the foot cover 1. FIG. 10 shows texture 226 for example which provides surface texture on the bottom 19 of the cover 1. The skilled artisan will appreciate that various advertisements are also capable of being incorporated on the disposable covers so as to offset the costs associated therewith.

In another preferred embodiment of the present invention, a disposable foot cover also may include a suitable retention mechanism (122, 222, and 322) so as to secure the cover on the foot of a user. Suitable retention mechanisms include, for example and without limitation, elastic 122 (e.g., as shown in FIG. 7), tie-string 222 (e.g., as shown in FIG. 9), flap 322 a and snap 322 b (e.g., as shown in FIG. 10), hook and latch, button, and the like. In accordance with one example embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 7 shows a disposable foot cover with a body 10 comprised of a synthetic rubber compound and includes an elastic retention mechanism 122 around the open edge 13 so as to allow ingress and egress of a foot, as well as to removably affix the foot cover to the foot. Similarly, the open edge 13 may include an elastic ring retention mechanism (akin to 122 with added elastic ring) to more effectively maintain a grip around the ankle of a foot inserted therein, as shown in FIGS. 7 and 8. In yet another embodiment, the material from which the body 10 of the disposable foot cover is made stretches to accommodate a foot, such that the cover is secured to the foot by the elasticity of the material.

In another preferred embodiment of the present invention, a disposable foot cover 1 also may include a removal tab 124, 224, located at the rear of the open edge 13, suitably attached or formed as a part of the cover so as to enable a user to readily and easily remove the cover from a foot without touching the possibly contaminated body 10. The removal tab 124, 224 may be produced from any suitable material or fabric and may be designed to satisfy any aesthetic or functional goals of a particular embodiment. For example, FIG. 9 shows a foot cover embodiment with a fabric loop removal tab 124, attached to the rear of the body 10 above the heel 14 of the cover 1. FIG. 10 shows another foot cover embodiment with an elongated member removal tab 224, such as a small rod, string, or the like, to facilitate easy removal of the cover by a user. The tab 124 of FIG. 9 or the elongated member 224 of FIG. 10 may then be used to effectively dispose of the foot cover without contaminating the user.

Attention is now drawn to FIG. 15 which depicts a preferred manufacturing process for producing foot covers in accordance with at least one embodiment of the present invention. The steps 31 to 36 of the process may include creating one or more template patterns of a foot cover design, using the templates to produce silicone casts or casting molds 40 (shown in FIGS. 11 and 12), fabricating urethane dipping molds 50 from the silicone casts (shown in FIGS. 13 and 14) and coating the dipping molds with a coagulant, submerging the urethane molds in a latex tank, baking the molds in an oven to vulcanize the latex (or other suitable material), and, after sufficient heating at suitable temperature for the material to cook, cure, harden and/or firm the material, stripping the cured latex from the dipping molds and coating the latex in talc or silicone to prevent sticking. Afterwards, the dipping molds 50 may be cleaned and reused in the production process (e.g., steps 33-36).

To summarize, in accordance with one example embodiment of the subject application, the disposable foot covers are comprised of a synthetic rubber compound that includes elastic around the open edge so as to allow ingress and egress of a foot, as well as to removably affix the foot cover to the foot. According to one particular embodiment of the subject application, the disposable foot cover includes a tab, located at the rear edge of the opening, suitably attached or formed as a part of the cover so as to enable a user to readily and easily pull off the disposable foot cover and not have to touch the used area.

The foot cover further includes a suitable retention mechanism so as to secure the foot cover on the foot of a user. Suitable retention mechanisms include, for example and without limitation, elastic, hook and latch, button, snap, and the like. According to one embodiment of the subject application, the opening includes an elastic ring so as to maintain a grip around the ankle of a foot inserted therein. In accordance with another embodiment of the subject application, the material from which the cover is made stretches to accommodate a foot, such that the cover is secured to the foot by the elasticity of the material.

The skilled artisan will appreciate that other materials are capable of being employed in the manufacture of the disposable foot cover provided, however that such material is puncture resistant and very durable. Preferably, this material will further have resistance to abrasion superior to that of natural rubber, provide a strong barrier of protection against infectious agents, and prevent the transmission of infectious agents, especially viruses.

According to one embodiment of the subject application, a plurality of sizes is capable of being produced so as to ensure proper fit. As will be appreciate by those skilled in the art, the flexibility and softness of nitrile-type rubbers makes them very comfortable and conforming, as demonstrated by the medical/surgical gloves of similar materials currently in use. In addition thereto, the nitrile-type rubber offers dexterity and extended wear comfort.

It will be appreciated by the skilled artisan that nitrile-type rubber is available in different grades and thicknesses. According to one embodiment of the subject application, the disposable foot covers would be manufactured in the “high risk” category, i.e. the same grade as the gloves used by technicians, paramedics, and firemen in the emergency medical fields. With respect to the thickness of the disposable foot covers, a suitable range is 0.05 to 0.07 mm in thickness, i.e. “ultra-thin” nitrile-type rubber. The skilled artisan will appreciate that such thickness allows for greater tactile sensation and can be made in a variety of sizes for both men and women. The “ultra-thin” nitrile enables the disposable foot covers to fit snugly when worn either over socks or on the bare foot. In one embodiment, the foot covers are made specific to the foot on which they are to be worn, i.e. right foot, left foot. In accordance with another embodiment of the subject application, the disposable foot covers are ambidextrous. According to a further embodiment of the subject application, the foot covers are configured for usage with sandals and flip-flops, as well as having separate compartments for each individual toes or groups of toes.

Preferably, the material used in the manufacture of disposable foot covers of the subject application is non-toxic and non-irritant so as to avoid causing skin allergies. According to another embodiment of the subject application, the disposable foot cover is capable of being manufactured in a plurality of colors. In one embodiment, the subject application provides a customized option for color, text, or the like, for a company, airline, hotel, sports team, and the like. The skilled artisan will appreciate that various advertisements are also capable of being incorporated on the disposable covers so as to offset the costs associated therewith.

The foregoing description of a preferred embodiment of the present invention has been presented for purposes of illustration and description. It is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the present invention to the precise form disclosed. Obvious modifications or variations are possible in light of the above teachings. The embodiment was chosen and described to provide the best illustration of the principles of the present invention and its practical application to thereby enable one of ordinary skill in the art to use the subject application in various embodiments and with various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated. All such modifications and variations are within the scope of the present invention as determined by the appended claims when interpreted in accordance with the breadth to which they are fairly, legally, and equitable entitled. 

1. A disposable foot cover, comprising: a body, roughly in the shape of a foot and made of a compound having rubber-like properties and configured to provide a barrier against infectious agents; an opening, located at one end of the body, configured to receive an associated foot therein; a retention mechanism, located at the opening, adapted for securing the cover to the associated foot; and a removal tab, located at the rear of the opening, suitably configured to enable removal of the cover from the associated foot.
 2. The disposable foot cover as claimed in claim 1, further comprising a texture on the outside surface.
 3. The disposable foot cover as claimed in claim 1, further comprising indicia on the outside surface of the body.
 4. The disposable foot cover as claimed in claim 1, further comprising an antibacterial agent incorporated into the outside surface.
 5. The disposable foot cover as claimed in claim 1, wherein said retention mechanism is a tie-string.
 6. The disposable foot cover as claimed in claim 1, wherein said retention mechanism is an elastic ring.
 7. The disposable foot cover as claimed in claim 1, wherein said retention mechanism is a flap with a fastener.
 8. The disposable foot cover as claimed in claim 1, wherein said retention mechanism is a button.
 9. The disposable foot cover as claimed in claim 1, wherein said tab is a loop of material.
 10. The disposable foot cover as claimed in claim 1, wherein said tab is a rigid elongated member.
 11. The disposable foot cover as claimed in claim 1, wherein said tab is a non-rigid elongated member. 